Trust apologises to family after incident in mortuary

THE Western Health and Social Care Trust has apologised to a family and launched an investigation following an incident at the mortuary at South West Acute Hospital, The Impartial Reporter can reveal.
It’s understood the wrong body was given to an undertaker and was taken away from the hospital to another premises before the mistake was discovered.
Sources indicate that action has been taken against a member of staff by the Trust.
The family of the deceased, who do not wish to be identified, have engaged a solicitor following the incident which occurred in recent months.
While the family would not comment when contacted by this newspaper their legal representative said they have reported their concerns to the Trust and await the result of that investigation.
A spokeswoman for the Trust said it has been in contact with the family to express its “sincere apologies and to advise of further steps to be taken.”
In a statement to this newspaper this week, the spokeswoman confirmed that the Trust is “investigating an incident that occurred at the mortuary at South West Acute Hospital recently.”
“We are unable to comment further until the investigation has been completed in the interest of ensuring that all of the circumstances have been thoroughly examined.
“The Trust has contacted the family concerned to express its sincere apologies.”
The Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) have also been informed.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here